Austin TX vs New Orleans LA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Austin, TX
Texas · Population: 967,862
- Median HH Income$91,461
- Median Home Price$511,264
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+58.2%
New Orleans, LA
Louisiana · Population: 376,035
- Median HH Income$55,339
- Median Home Price$245,988
- Unemployment7.8%
- Bachelor's+41.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Austin
967,862
Austin +
New Orleans
376,035
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Austin
N/A
New Orleans
N/A
Median Age
Austin
34.5
Austin +
New Orleans
38.4
Foreign Born
Austin
18.1%
Austin +
New Orleans
6.6%
White
Austin
59.9%
Austin +
New Orleans
31.6%
Black
Austin
7.5%
New Orleans
55.2%
New Orleans +
Asian
Austin
8.6%
Austin +
New Orleans
2.8%
Hispanic
Austin
32.2%
Austin +
New Orleans
7.9%
Spanish at Home
Austin
N/A
New Orleans
N/A
| Metric | Austin, TX | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 967,862 | 376,035 | Austin + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 38.4 | Austin + |
| Foreign Born | 18.1% | 6.6% | Austin + |
| White | 59.9% | 31.6% | Austin + |
| Black | 7.5% | 55.2% | New Orleans + |
| Asian | 8.6% | 2.8% | Austin + |
| Hispanic | 32.2% | 7.9% | Austin + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Austin
$91,461
Austin +
New Orleans
$55,339
Per Capita Income
Austin
$59,427
Austin +
New Orleans
$39,698
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Austin
$63,758
Austin +
New Orleans
$55,297
Unemployment Rate
Austin
4.5%
Austin +
New Orleans
7.8%
Poverty Rate
Austin
12.3%
Austin +
New Orleans
22.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Austin
58.2%
Austin +
New Orleans
41.9%
| Metric | Austin, TX | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $91,461 | $55,339 | Austin + |
| Per Capita Income | $59,427 | $39,698 | Austin + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $55,297 | Austin + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 7.8% | Austin + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.3% | 22.6% | Austin + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 58.2% | 41.9% | Austin + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Austin
$511,264
New Orleans
$245,988
New Orleans +
Homeownership Rate
Austin
44.4%
New Orleans
50.5%
New Orleans +
| Metric | Austin, TX | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $511,264 | $245,988 | New Orleans + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.4% | 50.5% | New Orleans + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Austin
442
Austin +
New Orleans
643
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Austin
2339
Austin +
New Orleans
2824
| Metric | Austin, TX | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 643 | Austin + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2824 | Austin + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Austin
30.1%
Austin +
New Orleans
34.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Austin
8.1%
Austin +
New Orleans
15.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Austin
16.9%
Austin +
New Orleans
19.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Austin
15.1%
New Orleans
8.7%
New Orleans +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Austin
20.0%
New Orleans
19.7%
New Orleans +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Austin
9.4%
Austin +
New Orleans
15.5%
| Metric | Austin, TX | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.1% | 34.0% | Austin + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.1% | 15.1% | Austin + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.9% | 19.4% | Austin + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 8.7% | New Orleans + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.0% | 19.7% | New Orleans + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 15.5% | Austin + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Austin
67.2°F
New Orleans
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Austin
34.9 in
Austin +
New Orleans
66.6 in
| Metric | Austin, TX | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 34.9 in | 66.6 in | Austin + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Austin
9.2 µg/m³
New Orleans
8.9 µg/m³
New Orleans +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Austin
55.0%
New Orleans
75.0%
New Orleans +
| Metric | Austin, TX | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | New Orleans + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | New Orleans + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Austin
25.8 min
New Orleans
24.6 min
New Orleans +
| Metric | Austin, TX | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.8 min | 24.6 min | New Orleans + |
Which City is Right for You?
Austin leads in median household income at $91,461, while new Orleans offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $245,988. On public safety, Austin is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in New Orleans. Austin has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and New Orleans has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Austin scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.1%.
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